High in the mountains lived a little dragon named Vohnyk. He had bright red wings and could blow warm flames from his nose.
Vohnyk wanted friends more than anything. Every morning, he flew down to the meadow where the animals played.
"Good morning!" said Vohnyk.
But the bunnies hid behind the bushes. The squirrels jumped to the highest branches. Even the brave hedgehogs rolled away.
"He breathes fire!" whispered the animals. "Stay away!"
Sadly, Vohnyk returned to his cave. He felt so lonely.
One winter morning, he heard a tiny peep. Beside an old stump lay a little baby bird. It had fallen from its nest and was shivering. Its wings were blue, and its beak trembled.
"Help!" chirped the bird. "I'm so cold!"
Vohnyk was scared.
"But… I breathe fire," he said softly. "Everyone is afraid of me."
"I need your warmth," whispered the bird. "I'm freezing."
Gently, Vohnyk moved closer. He blew warm breath into the air around the bird. The heat wrapped around the little one.
The bird stopped shivering. Its wings turned pink again.
"A bit more, please," it said.
Vohnyk sat beside it and breathed warmth until the bird was completely cozy.
Behind the bushes, the animals watched. A squirrel stepped out first.
"You saved the bird with your fire!" she said in amazement.
The bunnies came out too.
"We thought fire was scary," said one bunny. "But it's warm and kind."
"It depends on how you use it," Vohnyk said quietly.
The mama bird flew down and took her baby back to the nest. She chirped a happy "thank you" to the dragon.
That evening, the animals invited Vohnyk to the big oak tree. They all listened to bedtime stories together.
Vohnyk sat in the circle of new friends. His heart felt warm.
When it grew dark and chilly, the little animals asked, "Vohnyk, could you warm us a little?"
Joyfully, Vohnyk breathed a soft, warm breath. Together, they watched the stars until they fell asleep under the whispering leaves.